Holliston, Massachusetts
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| Holliston, Massachusetts | |
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| Nickname: "H Town" | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex County |
| Settled | 1659 |
| Incorporated | 1724 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| Area | |
| - Town | 19.0 sq mi (49.3 km²) |
| - Land | 18.7 sq mi (48.5 km²) |
| - Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Elevation | 188 ft (57 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Town | 13,801 |
| - Density | 737.8/sq mi (284.9/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 01746 |
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 |
| Website: http://www.townofholliston.us/ | |
Holliston is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States in the greater Boston area. The population was 13,801 at the 2000 census. It is part of the region known as MetroWest.
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[edit] History
Holliston was first settled in 1659 by Massachusetts Bay Puritans. The town of Holliston was incorporated on December 3, 1724 by virtue of approval by the General Court petition requesting that "the western part of Sherborn be a Town." The name was taken in honor of Thomas Hollis, Esq. of London, England, a benefactor of Harvard College. The Town has grown from a community of a few hundred residents setting aside ten pounds per year for public education to a community of 13,801 with an annual budget of over $40 million including more than $23 million for a nationally recognized school system.[1]
In "Holliston" by Images of America and the Holliston Historical Society, it is written: An article in a local newspaper[2] in 1894 heralded the charms of Holliston as the quintessential New England village, which, the story said, sprang into existence solely due to the talent of its people. Perhaps this is so, for there was no great moment in history to mark the founding of this town. Holliston has become a reflection of the accomplishments of the inhabitants of this place for more than three hundred years, and although the town had to admit to no magnitude of greatness to rival Boston, Lexington, or Concord, Holliston did define itself as a home to heroes of the commonplace. The feature story of 1894 said:
"Many cities have sprung into existence because of their advantageous situations. The prosperity of Holliston is solely due to the genius of its people. A visit to such places stirs the blood, quickens the pulse and produces an enthusiastic desire to have a share in the developing good times. Massachusetts may be Whittier's land, and the region from Marblehead to Amesbury may be full of legendary and spectral armies, and witchdom, and Buddha knows what, but the imaginative and the poetical must submit to the rights of the commonplace. The commonplace is honeycombed with the uncommon heroisms of the patient, everyday existence that make up the life of such plucky towns as Holliston. These are the things the average man is most interested in. Average life is but a portfolio of views of struggles with the commonplaces of everyday existence" (Holliston 1997).
The town was once the largest producer of shoes in the United States[3]. Although many of the shoe factories have been lost by fires and other problems, the largest company, the Goodwill Shoe Company, still has remaining empty factories on Water St. Competition from overseas factories is largely to blame for the loss of the industry.
Holliston's Mudville neighborhood claims to be the location of the 1888 Ernest Lawrence Thayer poem, "Casey at the Bat," and maintains an ongoing rivalry with Stockton, CA, who makes the same claim regarding the poem's setting.
[edit] The Legend of Balancing Rock
On the north side of Route 16 heading into Milford sits a large rock, some 20ft. in length, 10ft. in width, 4ft. thick, and weighing easily over 2 tons. The rock appears to be balanced precariously on an outcrop of granite ledge. In 1776, after the evacuation of Boston by the British troops, General George Washington led the Continental Army to New York via this route. Legend has it that, as the army came across this Balancing Rock, many of the troops took the opportunity to have some fun and tried their best to tip over the rock. It is said that the General himself, quite amused at the spectacle, added his muscle in an attempt to push the rock off its natural pedestal. Their efforts — and those of many others over the years — were to no avail, as "Balancing Rock" still stands today. Until recently, the rock sat at the edge of a private residence. However in 2006, construction finished on the Balancing Rock development, a community for "active" adults over the age of 55.[4]
[edit] Holliston today
Once populated by farms up until the latter part of the nineteenth century, Holliston has now transformed itself into a bedroom community for Boston and the Route 128 technology belt. Holliston is known for its quaint Town Center with its general store, superette, numerous antique shops and boutiques, public library, town hall, and white-steepled churches. A surplus of white Antique Colonials, Greek Revivals, and Victorians with well-manicured lawns dot the landscape along Washington Street (Route 16), with Holliston Center and the Town Green wedged in between - a scene reminsicent of the distinctive New England character. Annual events dominate the social scene in Holliston including the Memorial Day Parade, Celebrate Holliston, the Holiday Stroll, summer concerts at the Town Hall, and an abundance of craft fairs and Autumn festivals to name a few. This hometown atmosphere, coupled with the character of the town, have been leading factors resulting in Holliston's attractiveness to families throughout the decades.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 49.3 km² (19.0 mi²). 48.5 km² (18.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. Water covers 1.73% of the town's total area. It is located 24.6 mi west of Boston and is within short driving distance of Interstate 495 (U.S. I-495) and the Massachusetts Turnpike (U.S. I-90). MA-Route 16 and MA-Route 126 pass through the town. Holliston is bordered by Sherborn to the east, Millis and Medway to the south, Milford and Hopkinton to the west, and Ashland to the north. The Charles River passes through the southern region of town.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 13,801 people, 4,795 households, and 3,842 families residing in the town. The population density was 284.8/km² (737.8/mi²). There were 4,868 housing units at an average density of 100.5/km² (260.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.7% White, 0.9% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population. Ancestries of Holliston residents are reported to be Irish (29.4%), Italian (18.3%), English (17.8%), German (9.7%), French (5.6%), and Polish (5.6%).
There were 4,795 households out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
In 2005, the median income for a household in the town was $87,621, and the median income for a family was $110,305. Males had a median income of $72,408 versus $47,405 for females. The per capita income for the town was $37,137. As of the census of 2000, about 2.5% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
50.8% of Holliston residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and 18.8% hold graduate or professional degrees.
[edit] Government
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Holliston retains its original open town meeting form of government and the town's day-to-day affairs are overseen by an elected Board of Selectmen with a Town Administrator.
[edit] Education
The Town of Holliston has a public school system which serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district include two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Public schools include: Sam Placentino Elementary School, Fred W. Miller Elementary School, Robert H. Adams Middle School, and Holliston High School.
Over $23 million[citation needed] of Holliston's annual budget is devoted to the town's nationally recognized public school system. According to Newsweek Magazine's 2006 ranking of the Nation's Top 1200 Public High Schools (the top 5% of public school systems) Holliston was ranked at 1063.[5]
[edit] Historical districts
- Lakeside
- Mudville
- "The Queens"
- Braggville
- Metcalf
- East Holliston
- Thomas Hollis Historical District
- Phipps Hill
- Gooch's Corner
- Brentwood
[edit] Points of interest
- Broad Hill Vineyards, located in the hilly microclimate west of Boston, Broad Hill Vineyards offers some of the region's best wine-tasting
- Fatima Shrine, a restful haven in a peaceful rustic setting, Fatima Shrine is an oasis for prayer, reflection, and meditation. The rosary walk at Fatima Shrine is believed to be the world's largest rosary.
- Highland Farm, offering apple-picking in a scenic orchard on rolling hills
- Lake Winthrop, named for Governor John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Lake Winthrop is nearly 1 mile in diameter and covers approximately 140 acres in surface area. It is written in town history that the Nipmuck tribe, a clan of the Algonquin Indians, lived on the southwestern shores of what we nowadays call Lake Winthrop. It was called Wennakeening, meaning “smile of the great spirit” or “pleasant smile” when the Nipmucks lived in the village of Musquit, near present-day Lake Grove Cemetery.[6] Today, Lake Winthrop offers fishing, kayaking, and swimming in a serene setting.
- Outpost Farm
- Upper Charles River Trail, a scenic, recreational path for bicycling, walking, cross-country skiing, roller-blading, and other non-motorized uses. When completed, the 20-mile trail will connect Holliston to Ashland, Hopkinton, Milford, and Sherborn.
[edit] Golf courses
- Pinecrest Golf Club, 18-hole golf course offering a challenge to players of all levels
[edit] Parks
- Goodwill Park, playgrounds for children, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields
- Patoma Park, Stoddard Park's sister park offers woodland trails for hiking and recreational activities
- Pleasure Point, located on Lake Winthrop with a beach, picnic area, playground, and boat launch
- Stoddard Park, located on Lake Winthrop with a beach, picnic area, and recreational area
[edit] Local organizations
- Holliston Business Association
- Holliston Cable Access TV-8
- Holliston Conservation Associates
- Holliston Education Foundation
- Holliston Garden Club
- Holliston Historical Society
- Holliston Newcomers Club
- Holliston Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
- Holliston Sportsman Association
- Washington Street Players
[edit] Notable residents
- Arthur Judson Brown, clergyman, missionary, author
- Casey, from Casey at the Bat, is rumored to be from Holliston
- Elbridge Jefferson Cutler, Civil War era poet
- Marc Dube, writer/producer of CSI: Miami
- Mike Grier, forward for San Jose Sharks hockey team
- Hannibal Hamlin, U.S. Vice president under Abraham Lincoln (1860-1864)
- Michael Mantenuto, actor (Jack O'Callahan in Miracle)
- Greg Mauldin, center for NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets
- Jo Dee Messina, pop and country music singer
- Andrew Natsios, Director, United States Agency for International Development
- Albert P. Rockwood, Mormon missionary, Danite, member of the secret Council of Fifty
- John Sencio, National Television Personality - HGTV, NBC, MTV
- Mark Sweeney, first baseman for San Francisco Giants baseball team
- Jeff Taylor, founder and CEO of Monster.com
- Kara Wolters, professional basketball player and Olympic medal winner
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ [1]Town of Holliston
- ^ [2]Holliston Historical Society
- ^ [3]Historic American Buildings Survey, 2005
- ^ [4]Balancing Rock 55 Community Website
- ^ [5]Newsweek Magazine
- ^ [6]Holliston NetNews
- Bragg, Ernest. The Shoe Industry of Holliston and Milford. 1st ed. Boston, 1950.
